William Henry Allen
Mr William Henry Allen
Who was William Henry Allen?
Mr William Henry Allen was a 39 (thirty-nine) year-old English tool maker who tragically lost his life in the Titanic disaster. Born in Lenton, Nottingham in early 1873, Allen was a third-class passenger on the ill-fated ship, embarking from Southampton with hopes of finding work in the United States.
Early Life and Background
Family and Childhood
William Henry Allen was born to Alfred Allen, a turner and later factory foreman, and Hannah Selina Hunt. He was one of six children in the Allen family:
- George Alfred (b. 1874)
- Arthur Archibald (b. 1876)
- Florence Louise (b. 1878)
- Gertrude Miriam (b. 1887)
- Elsie (b. 1893)
Where did William Henry Allen grow up?
Young William spent his early years in Nottingham. The 1881 census shows the Allen family residing at 34 Leicester Street in St Mary, Nottingham. By 1891, they had moved to 5 Addington Road, Radford, Nottingham.
Career and Marriage
As a young man, William pursued a career as an engine fitter’s apprentice. In 1901, he was boarding at 114 Cremorne Road in Nottingham, where he met his future wife, Florence Ann Rigby. The couple married in 1906, and by 1911, William had established himself as a toolmaker in the nut and screw trade.
The Titanic Journey
Why was William Henry Allen on the Titanic?
William boarded the Titanic as a third-class passenger with aspirations of finding employment in the United States. He planned to stay with an uncle at 593 Eleventh Avenue, New York City, while seeking job opportunities.
Titanic Ticket Details
- Class: Third Class
- Ticket Number: 373450
- Fare: £8 1s (8 pounds, 1 shilling)
- Port of Embarkation: Southampton
A Fateful Friendship
Interestingly, William Allen was best friends with George Hinckley, a steward on the Titanic. Hinckley, originally from Derby, had left his job at Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co. Ltd, Adderley Park, Birmingham. It’s possible that the two men had worked together before embarking on this fateful journey.
The Titanic Disaster and Allen’s Fate
What happened to William Henry Allen during the Titanic sinking?
Tragically, William Henry Allen did not survive the Titanic disaster. His body was never recovered from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. As a third-class passenger, his chances of survival were significantly lower than those in first or second class.
The Aftermath
Following William’s death, his estate, valued at £167 10s, was administered to his widow, Florence, on April 5, 1913. Florence Allen never remarried and eventually resettled in Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, where she lived until her passing on September 15, 1965.
Legacy and Recent Discoveries
A Tangible Connection to the Past
In a remarkable turn of events, a suitcase belonging to William Henry Allen was recovered from the Titanic wreck in 2000. This poignant artifact contained clothing bearing a laundry stamp “W. Allen,” providing a tangible connection to the life of this Titanic victim over a century after the disaster.
“The discovery of William Henry Allen’s suitcase in 2000 offers a rare and personal glimpse into the life of a Titanic passenger, bridging the gap between past and present.”
This recovered suitcase serves as a powerful reminder of the individual lives lost in the Titanic tragedy and continues to captivate those interested in the ship’s history.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.